Standardized testing continues to shape U.S. college admissions and acts a huge contributor on a college application. While of course, there is an ongoing debate about the purpose and fairness of standardized testing, the tests give colleges a better sense of your expertise in each core subject. The ACT and SAT offer extremely useful data to colleges and universities and are crucial in a student’s application process.
What is the difference between the ACT and the SAT? Well, the ACT consists of a faster paced test with more quick questions. It also includes a science section that was recently made optional but data shows that since it has been made optional very close to 100% of test takers continue doing it. The ACT is more about straightforward problem solving in a larger but quicker paced group of questions. The SAT however, consists of less questions than the ACT, but each question is slower paced. The SAT heavily focuses on evidence based reading and math which tend to emphasize more critical thinking rather than a straightforward answer. The differences in the actual test are major but the purpose is the same. By having the option of the ACT vs SAT students get to choose which test fits their thinking better. This makes standardized testing much more fair because the test you choose to take will appeal to your strengths.
The practical use of standardized testing for college admissions is that it allows for a single scale to be used across students from different schools. Having a test grade that is not affiliated with your actual high school helps admissions to understand a more accurate version of you as a student. These tests also help to offset grade inflation or forced rigor. For example, if two students from the same school take the exact same classes and receive the exact same grades, colleges can look at their standardized tests in order to make a final decision. These tests also provide many opportunities and benefits for students in the college process by giving them a chance to present their best self. ACT and SAT test takers have “unlimited” tries and can continue taking the tests until they receive a score they are satisfied with. These tests are super helpful to students whose GPA doesn’t accurately reflect them or their intelligence. Since standardized testing is so popularized across the U.S. there are so many free resources to help you prepare. This means that any students with economic struggles can shine through these tests by using them as an opportunity to actually reflect themselves as a student.
While standardized testing is yet to be perfected, the ACT and SAT act as a wonderful opportunity for both students as well as college admissions counselors.